Learning About Alcohol Use Disorder and Your Teen

What is alcohol use disorder?

If a teen has alcohol use disorder, it means that they drink alcohol even though it's causing harm to themselves or others.

Alcohol use disorder can range from mild to severe. The more symptoms of this disorder your teen has, the more severe it may be. Teens who have it may find it hard to control their use of alcohol.

Teens who have this disorder may argue with others about how much they're drinking. Their schoolwork or job may be affected because of drinking. They may drink when it's dangerous or illegal, such as when they drive. Or they may engage in unsafe sex. This can lead to pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Their drinking may increase their risk of getting hurt or being in a car crash.

Teens may also have a strong need, or craving, to drink and feel like they must drink just to get by. It may get harder for your teen to say "no" to drinking. Your teen may start to find alcohol more fun than anything else. Or your teen may want to stop drinking but can't. Your teen's body may get used to alcohol. This is called physical dependence.

Teens may think that a drink or two is okay, even if it's illegal. Or they may think that it's okay if they're only drinking on the weekends. They may even think that binge drinking is okay. But teens who drink are more likely to develop alcohol use disorder than people who start drinking later in life.

Over time, drinking too much alcohol may cause health problems. These problems may include high blood pressure, liver problems, and problems with digestion.

Why do teens use drugs and alcohol?

Teens may use alcohol or other substances for many reasons. For example, they may do it because they:

• Want to fit in with friends or certain groups.
• Like the way it makes them feel.
• Believe it makes them more grown up.
• Want to escape problems.

Teens tend to try new things and take risks, so they may take drugs or drink alcohol because it seems exciting.

Why is it important to recognize and address alcohol or drug use?

Using alcohol or drugs affects the brain and causes changes in your teen's alertness, perception, movement, judgment, and attention. These changes may make your teen more likely to:

• Risk their health and life. Alcohol and drug use is a leading cause of death and injury from car crashes, suicide, violence, and drowning.
• Have unprotected sex. This can lead to unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
• Be involved in a crime. Drug use and underage drinking are illegal and can lead to arrest and jail time.
• Have trouble at school or drop out of school.
• Have health problems because of alcohol or drug use.

How do you know if your teen is using drugs or alcohol?

You may worry that your teen is using drugs or alcohol if they become withdrawn or negative. But these behaviors are common for teens. They may also be signs of a mental health condition, such as depression.

It's important not to accuse your teen unfairly. Tell your teen that you are concerned. Try to find out why their behavior has changed.

Experts recommend that parents look for a pattern or a number of changes, not just one or two. Signs that a teen may be using drugs or alcohol include:

• Having red and glassy eyes and often using eyedrops and breath mints.
• Paying less attention to dressing and grooming.
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss.
• Doing worse in school or skipping school.
• Acting secretive or sneaky.
• Withdrawing from family and friends.
• Having new friends that they don't want you to meet.

What can you do to prevent your teen from drinking?

• Be a role model. Your attitude toward alcohol is one of the greatest influences on whether your teen will drink. If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation.
• Learn about alcohol. Find out what the signs of drinking are. Learn how alcohol can harm your teen's growth and development.
• Share your beliefs. Teens need to know what you think about important issues, including alcohol use. Talk with your teen about what drinking can do physically and emotionally. If you have a family history of alcohol use disorder, talk with your teen about their increased risk.
• Stay connected. Set times when the family is expected to be together, such as at mealtimes. Plan family outings or other family-fun activities. Let your teen know that you value them and that they contribute to the family. Get to know your teen's friends, and know where your teen is at all times. Be awake and talk to your teen when your teen comes home at night.
• Be fair and consistent. Find a mix between supervising your teen and giving them privacy and independence. Set rules, and let your teen know what will happen if the rules are broken. Always follow through and discipline your teen if your teen breaks the rules. But don't make the consequence too severe for the rule.
• Encourage activities. Find things your teen likes to do, and keep your teen busy with those things. Sports and playing in the school band are two examples.

How can you help your teen say no?

You can teach your teen these ways to say no if your teen is offered a drink.

• Look the person in the eye and say, "No thanks." Sometimes that is all you need to do. Say it as many times as you need to. Also ask the person not to ask you again: "I'm cool with my decision, so don't bother me again."
• Say why you don't want to drink. Here are some examples: "I don't like how I act when I'm drinking," "I like to know what I'm doing," "If my parents find out, they'll take my car away," or "I have to practice with my band tomorrow."
• Walk out. It's okay to leave a party or group where others are drinking.
• Offer another idea. "I'd rather play video games" or "Let's listen to some music." By doing this, you might also prevent your friend from drinking.
• Ask for respect. Make it clear that you don't want to drink and that continuing to ask you is showing no respect for your opinions. "I don't give you a hard time, so why are you giving me a hard time?"
• Think ahead. If you think you might go someplace where people are drinking, don't go. But if you do go, think in advance about what you will do if someone offers you a drink.

How is alcohol use disorder treated?

Some teens are able to stop drinking with help from a school alcohol education program or a counselor. Treatment also can include group therapy. Teens who have moderate to severe alcohol use disorder may need medical treatment. They may need to stay in a hospital or treatment center.

Treatment focuses on more than alcohol. It also helps your teen cope with the anger, frustration, sadness, and disappointment that often happen when a person tries to stop drinking.

Treatment also looks at other parts of your teen's life, like relationships with friends and family, school and work, medical problems, and living situation. It helps you and your teen find and manage problems. Treatment helps your teen take control of life so that your teen doesn't need to drink alcohol. Family counseling often is part of treatment.